Were you or a loved one injured in an aviation accident in or near New Port Richey, FL? You may be able to hold the airline, aircraft owner, or other parties liable for the resulting medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
A dedicated New Port Richey airplane accident lawyer can help you pursue full and fair compensation.
The legal team at Winters and Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers has over 119 years of combined experience helping victims secure maximum settlements and court awards after devastating accidents in cases related to car accidents, motorcycle accidents in New Port Richey, truck accidents, New Port Richey bicycle accidents, boating accidents, and more.
We’ll skillfully handle your claim from start to finish so that you have an opportunity to heal from your physical and emotional injuries. Call our New Port Richey personal injury lawyers at (727) 910-5060 or reach us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help After an Aviation Accident in New Port Richey, FL?
An aviation accident case can involve multiple parties and complex regulations and procedures. Did pilot error cause the incident, or did a maintenance company fail to properly repair the plane (or something entirely different)? A combination of negligent actions could be at play, meaning a thorough investigation will likely be needed to identify the liable parties.
It’s best to allow an experienced New Port Richey aviation accident attorney to handle your claim. They can get to the bottom of what caused your accident and locate every potential source of compensation.
When you retain Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for representation after an airplane accident in New Port Richey, Florida, we’ll:
- Independently investigate the plane crash to determine its cause and who shares financial accountability
- Monitor any ongoing state or federal investigations
- Gather evidence, identify your losses, and calculate the fair value of your personal injury claim
- Aggressively negotiate with opposing parties for a fair settlement
- Argue your case in Pasco County court if we fail to settle for what you deserve
To learn more about our legal services and how we can help after a plane accident, contact our New Port Richey personal injury attorneys for a free consultation.
How Common Are Aviation Accidents?
Commercial air travel is one of the safest means of transportation. In 2021, 21 commercial aviation accidents occurred in the U.S., but there weren’t any reported fatalities involving a commercial airline.
However, general aviation – which encompasses anything other than scheduled commercial airline flights or military air operations – is less regulated, meaning accidents are more common.
General aviation includes the following aircraft and activities:
- Private jets and planes
- Corporate jets
- Helicopters
- Air taxis and charter flights
- Agricultural flights (crop dusting planes)
- Medical evacuation
- Aerial firefighting
- Skydiving flights
- Cargo flights
- Sightseeing flights
- Air shows
- Seaplanes
- Hot air balloons
There were 1,157 nationwide accidents involving general aviation in 2021. They caused 341 deaths, most of which occurred onboard.
What Is My New Port Richey Aviation/Airplane Accident Case Worth?
Putting a dollar value on an aviation accident claim can be challenging. There is no standard amount – all cases must be independently evaluated based on their specific facts.
When we assess how much your aviation injury case is worth, we’ll examine the following factors:
- The injuries you suffered and whether they cause permanent impairment or disability
- Your medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, and lost wages and benefits
- Whether you can continue working in the same capacity as before the aircraft accident
- Whether you contributed to the accident or your injuries in any way
- The psychological trauma and pain you’ve endured
- The impact of your injuries on your enjoyment of life
Our New Port Richey aviation accident lawyers know how to calculate your damages. Contact our Florida law office today to get the help you need.
What Types of Damages Are Available To Aviation Accident Victims in Florida?
Airplane accident victims in Florida can pursue compensation for all losses sustained due to the incident and their injuries. That includes financial (economic) and non-financial (non-economic) losses.
Economic damages after a Florida plane accident might include:
- Lost income and employment benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Past medical costs
- Future medical expenses, such as physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as childcare and household services
The non-economic damages suffered after an aviation accident can be more challenging to prove; they don’t have a receipt or statement and are personal to the victim. They could include:
- Permanent impairment or disability
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- PTSD
- Inconvenience
- Reduced quality of life
Depending on the nature of the airplane accident and what caused it, you may be entitled to punitive damages. While rare, courts award punitive damages to punish defendants for particularly reckless behavior, such as operating an aircraft while intoxicated.
Common Aviation and Airplane Accident Injuries
Aviation accidents can range from a minor incident while taxiing on the runway to a traumatic plummet while up in the air.
Accordingly, plane accident victims can sustain various types of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Severe burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputation injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Chest injuries
- Eye injuries
- Other catastrophic injuries
- Psychological injuries, including PTSD and aerophobia (fear of flying)
In the most extreme aviation accidents, a victim loses their life. If you lost a loved one in a fatal airplane accident, our personal injury lawyers in New Port Richey will help you file a wrongful death claim.
What Causes Most Aviation Accidents?
Commercial airlines are heavily regulated. Pilots and other crew members must adhere to strict guidelines and safety standards.
However, general aviation is less controlled, and aircraft aren’t equipped with the same technology and safety features as commercial airline planes. Additionally, pilots of private planes may not be as experienced as airline pilots, leading to errors in judgment and a lack of knowledge regarding aircraft systems.
Some potential causes of aviation accidents include:
- Pilot error
- Inexperienced pilots, staff, or personnel
- Loss of control
- Errors by plane mechanics
- Pilot inattention or distraction
- Failure to perform pre-flight checks or inspect the aircraft
- Improper lookout
- Air traffic control errors or lack of communication
- Drug or alcohol impairment
- Failure to maintain the aircraft
- Defective aircraft parts
- Mechanical failure or software problems
- Unmaintained runways
- Violations of state or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations
Of course, unexpected inclement weather can present issues that even the most seasoned pilots may have trouble navigating. Regardless of what caused the incident, our New Port Richey airplane accident attorneys can investigate and prove your claim.
Who Could Be Liable for a New Port Richey Aviation Accident?
Pilot negligence is the most common cause of aviation accidents, whether they were fatigued, distracted, or made an error in judgment. However, that’s not always the case. Additionally, multiple parties can share fault, depending on the circumstances of your aviation accident.
Some parties who may share liability for an airplane crash include:
- Pilots
- Airline staff and crew
- Airports and personnel
- Mechanics
- Commercial airlines
- Manufacturers of defective plane parts
- Owners of privately owned aircraft
- Government entities
- Maintenance companies
- Inspection companies
- Air traffic controllers
Maybe an airline negligently hired an inexperienced pilot, or a mechanic made an error when repairing an engine. There could have been a communication error between the pilot and air traffic control. Regardless, our personal injury attorneys in New Port Richey will get to the bottom of what happened and identify every party who bears responsibility.
How Do I Prove Negligence After an Aviation Accident in Florida?
In a personal injury case – including a plane accident claim – you (the plaintiff or injured party) must prove the following elements of negligence:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty of care
- The defendant breached their duty by acting unreasonably or carelessly (e.g., a pilot’s distraction led to a crash)
- The defendant’s actions directly caused the plane accident
- You sustained damages, such as injuries, financial expenses, and mental trauma
The following kinds of evidence may be useful in an aviation accident claim:
- Cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder records (black box data)
- Flight logs
- Air traffic control records
- Videos and surveillance of the accident or crash scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness testimony
- Medical records
- Aircraft maintenance records
- Inspection records
- Physical evidence
Our New Port Richey plane accident attorneys will collect the evidence required to prove every element of your case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Aviation/Airplane Accident in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations typically gives you two years from the aviation accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.
This two-year deadline is relatively new; prior to March 24, 2023, Florida law provided a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Thus, if your plane accident occurred before that date, you may have up to four years to take legal action. However, aviation accidents occurring after 3/24/23 are subject to the two-year deadline.
There could be exceptions to the general statute of limitations that give you less time to act. Therefore, we recommend consulting an experienced aviation accident attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a New Port Richey Aviation/Airplane Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an aviation accident in New Port Richey, FL, you may be able to hold the negligent parties responsible for your medical expenses and other damages. However, to maximize your financial recovery, you’ll need an experienced legal representative in your corner fighting for you.
Contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your aviation accident case and potential sources of compensation. Our airplane accident lawyers in New Port Richey offer a free initial consultation, so call now to schedule yours.
Visit Our Law Office In New Port Richey, FL
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyer – New Port Richey
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: (727) 910-5060.
Hours: Open 24 Hours Daily
